The Blacklist - Electric And Evil CD
The press release for this Melbourne combo lists Zeke, The Hookers & Venom as inspirations which gave me a good indication of we sure as hell ain't takin' bout no new cleancut Jet from down under, haha. Lead screamer Goodtime Gemmill sounds like he's singin' kareoke with Lemmy over Poison Idea's "Feel The Darkness" while drinkin' a pint of lit gasoline! Just listen to "We Want Blood" and the cover of Venom's "Live Like An Angel" and start bangin' what's left of yer brains into the fuckin' wall - THIS IS SOME VICIOUS SHIT! 11 blasts of unashamed gutsy metallic punk rawk that'll leave ya crippled and beggin' for more. Slayer-fanatic Simon will love this. The Blacklist will tour Europe in April/May - BE THERE!
LOWCUT MAGAZINE - DENMARK
Sleazegrinder – Boston, USA
Electric is always good, as is evil, so you just know any band that’s gonna claim to be BOTH has got to really tear it up, right? Yup. The first track on “EUE”, “Blacklisted Forever”, sounds like Overkill’s “Raise the Dead” as played by the Dwarves, which, as you might have guessed, ROCKS like there’s no tomorrow.* This is pretty exciting, not only for it’s ragged supersonic Satan-isms, but also because Blacklist are Aussies, and really have no good reason to sound like a bunch of insane assholes from Chicago ripping into one of the worst songs ever from a superdumb Noo Yawk metal band from the ‘80’s. Oh, but the fuckers pull off this cunning stunt with such n’ burn ferocity that I am nearly singed at the whiskers. And that’s just the beginning, really. The REAL fun kicks in during “Triple Axe”, an orgy of handclaps and flashy glam-riffs and rock n’ roll fury. This song- all 2 minutes of it- is the kind of infectious, wreck-the-joint punk n’ roll madness that redneck devil bands like Zeke, the Hookers, and Nashville Pussy specialize in, ‘cept it’s got that slippery Aussie edge – let’s call it the Angus Crunch – that propels it straight into a full-blown riot of speed-fueled teenage rampage. Further tracks borrow liberally from Motorhead, Kiss, and Venom, and spit ‘em all back out in acidic wads of high-velocity rock n’ roll mayhem. Blacklist freak freely in that strange and dangerous combat zone between old skull black metal and ripped-to-the-tits motorpunk, and this brief but lethal collection of terror-tracks is utterly bitchin’ and completely exhausting. Thank Christ the songs are so short, because if this record was any longer, I’d pass out in a sweaty heap before it was over. If yr a fan of Zeke and all the bands that wish they were Zeke, man, are you in for a fuckin’ treat. Go get ‘em.
*Overkill reference. Roll with me, willya?
-Sleazegrinder
Beat Magazine - Australia
‘Ken Oath! Rising like the unstoppable undead from the crypt of classic Melbourne pub rock bands The Spoilers, The Sex Bombs and Demolition, The Blacklist are both electric and evil. It’s been a long time since I’ve put a record on a spindle and it starts like an adrenaline shot to the aorta – and can keep it up. Most opening blasts are production theatrics and the albums inevitably start to whimper within a few songs. In the bludgeoning footsteps of Motorhead, The Blacklist ain’t foolin’ with studio tricks; they’ve just produced a blitzkrieg of punishing punk n’ roll tunes.
Ultimately there is something primal going on with The Blacklist. That’s my excuse for getting overcome with excitement at bands like them, Zeke, New Bomb Turks, Turbonegro. It’s why rock n’ roll will never die. Wailing guitars angry up the blood, snapping snare speeds up the heartbeat, and the throat-shredding shout gets the fists a-clenchin’. Guys can stew in their own testosterone, and the chicks can’t resist its musty stench.
Henceforth Electric and Evil contains no tricks, no irony, no styling, and no bullshit. This is the real relentless rock you’ve been waiting for, with a healthy lust for blood (out of the 11 tracks we have We Want Blood, Face Down In A Pool Of Blood, Triple Axe, Fuck You Up, and My Hammer, Your Skull), no brakes and no conscience. In a world of posers with guitars, The Blacklist, to quote a mono review, “rock harder than a Frankston bogan on goey”. And that’s fuckin hard chief.
Andrew Tijs
Hellspawn Magazine – The Netherlands
Yeah, baby, yeah! Neen hoor, geen foute discokreet, maar eventjes wild geworden omwille van de pure, onversneden rock 'n roll die The Blacklist hier ontketent op hun debuutplaat. The Blacklist komt uit Australië en zijn dè reden waarom koala's met uitsterven bedreigd worden. Ze zijn gewoon weggeblazen door de onvervalste trommelvliesaanslag die “Electric and evil” is. The Blacklist is het 'down under' antwoord op Zeke, Motörhead en Peter Pan Speedrock. Scheurende gitaren, opzwepende mokerdrums en rauwe vocalen, simpel maar oh zo aanstekelijk rechttoe rechtaan raggen. De adrenalinestoot die deze cd opwekt is fenomenaal, dit is een half uurtje kicken! 'n Beetje kort, ik weet het, maar perfect getimed van dit woeste vijftal. Langer moet en mag dit zeker niet duren, anders zou de aandacht verslappen en zou de greep op je keel beginnen lossen. Nu raast The Blacklist 11 nummers lang compromisloos door de speakers en weet onderweg nog een paar keer onhoudbaar te scoren ook. Als je “Free Che what's his name (you know the guy on the T-shirts) ”, “Release the gay boy beserker attack” en “My hammer, your skull” eens opzet, zul je wel begrijpen wat ik bedoel. Trouwens, schitterende titels toch!! U sleept zich een beetje futloos naar het eindejaar toe? Een dosis “Electric and evil” helpt u er zo weer bovenop.
86 Pow
Roar E Zine – The Netherlands
Damn you all to hell, cause you're gonna be blacklisted."
Well, thank you.. We'll see about that, because nobody is going to blacklist me! The biography that came with this release opened with the quote above, followed by a lot more bragging. I personally really dislike it when bands are praised into heaven by themselves or the record label without giving any further information on the band.
Australia has been given a big musical status lately with having great bands like 'The Butterfly Effect'. 'The Datsuns', 'The Vines' and 'Jet'. But I'm not quite sure if 'The Blacklist' deserves to be on that list as well.
(Note to reviewer. The Datsuns are from New Zealand)
Ok! This album isn't totally bad. If it looks like I am trying to say that. But I have to say immediately that this isn't something 'new' or 'fantastic' as well. It sounds like every 'vintage' (Hardcore) Rock'n'Roll band that you see today. It isn't bad to 'be like the rest', but it's far from original and 'cool'.
A track on this record that caught my attention right away reading the back of the cd-case is the song 'Free Che what's his name? (You know him from the guy on the t-shirts)'. This is ofcourse a sarcastic 'rebel'-song on all the 'rebel-childs' out there, wearing the shirts. But yelling "Don't you know he's dead?" sounds like a little bit (very) pathetic to me. You don't tell people to forget about Jimi Hendrix, Martin Luther King, or John Lennon just because they're dead.. So, who's blacklisting who now?
A funny title on this record is 'Release The Gay Boy Beserker Attack', but the majority on this record are 'gore' titles such as 'We Want Blood' (reviewers advice; Marry a virgin!), 'Face Down In A Pool Of Blood', and 'My Hammer, Your Skull'. A lot of big talk, but not much happening.
This isn't really a record that makes you run to the nearest record store and pick up a copy of 'Electric & Evil', but it might be a great band to check out live if they play somewhere near you or of course if you're totally hyped by some classic
Chaos Realm
There’s a lot of good things about the internet. I mean, let’s face it, without it you wouldn’t be reading this page, so what the hell more do you need?! Really though, that sparkling (well, sometimes grimy) info highway has opened the doors to a lot of music I’d probably never know about otherwise. Thing is, it’s also spelled doom for one of my favourite things: browsing through a record store & picking up an unknown gem just because it “looked cool.” These days, nearly everything I see in the local stores are things I’ve already heard about. Well…nearly. A few weeks ago, I walked in the store, happened upon this li’l’ disc and was caught by the rabid looking monkey on the cover. Turning it over, a few things hit me. The singer listed as “throat,” a guitarist listed as “axe” and a cover version of a Venom song. ‘Nuff said for me, as I plunked down my $ 10. Still, as I slid the disc in the player, there was that all-too-uncommon excitement…the unknown. Had I picked a winner or a load of crap? Well, 30-some minutes later, I’m peeling my blood-splattered torso off the far wall & thinking “Damn, son, winner!” Take all the best aspects of Motorhead, Zeke, yes Venom & a barroom AC/DC / punk ethic (as if there are any bad aspects of ANY of those things!). Then fold in stripped-down, catchy songs, a razor blade vocal attack & nasty-raw production and you’ve tot Australia’s THE BLACKLIST. Listing best songs would be pointless here, as this is just a non-stop shotgun blast from the word go, but I gotta mention this one riff in “Free The What’s His Name (You Know The Guy On The T-Shirts)” (I shit you not, that is a song title!!!!!!) JESUS!!!! Listen to this, you’ll know what I mean! Mandatory purchase by a damn long way and here’s more news: THE BLACKLIST tells me they’ve since added a 3rd (!!!) guitarist and are MUCH more raw and heavy now than on this CD. Gawd help us all!!!
www.electricandevil.com
Ray
Zona Punk - Portugal
Com o fim de bandas miticas na cena de Melbourne (Austrália ) como The Spoilers, The Sex Bombs ou The Demolitions, ficou como que um buraco por preencher. E das cinzas dessas bandas, surgem os The Blacklist.
Os The Blacklist são formados por Skull Crak (bateria) e Iron Scatt the First (guitarra), ex- The Spoilers, T-Bone O'Doodle (baixo e voz) e the Jackal (guitarra), ex- The Sex Bombs e com o ex-vocalista dos The Demolitions, Goodtime Gemmill.
Este álbum é uma bomba da qual os Motörhead ou os New Bomb Turks se iriam orgulhar!
11 temas, onde a banda consegue ser agressiva como ninguém, e ao mesmo tempo consegue tocar um riff mais "catchy" e manter a mesma energia ao fazê-lo.
Uma voz que consegue BERRAR aparentemente com o mesmo esforço que o faz ao cantar, e que chega a arrepiar.
A secção ritmica está em pemanente "castigo", sempre a rasgar, e nas guitarras existe uma coesão perfeita e os solos são efectuados nos timings certos, sem exageros e sem virtuosismos aparentes e tantas vezes desnecessários.
Este "Electric & Evil" é um excelente álbum de Punk Rock'n'Roll.Apreciadores das bandas acima referidas e de Zeke, Venom ou The Hookers, para mencionar apenas algumas, de certeza que não se vão desiludir com estes australianos.
Ao vivo a banda é brutal, com uma intensidade que se mantém de principio ao fim do concerto, á qual é impossivel ficar indiferente.
Em Abril e Maio de 2005 a banda irá estar em tour pela Europa, mas, infelizmente, muito dificilmente passará por Portugal.Nós, por cá, é que ficamos a perder.
Revisor: João A.
Pontos:
Mindview – Belgium
Jaja, de gevaarlijkste band van Australië die de wereld gaat veroveren en Armageddon zal inluiden. De bio moet natuurlijk aanzetten tot luisteren, maar met zo’n statements moet je toch best oppassen. Ze klinken inderdaad heel boos en gevaarlijk en dat het Australiërs zijn, geeft dat nog eens een extra push. Maar de ruwe rockpunk die ze brengen zal de wereld niet veroveren omdat er toch wel wat meer voor nodig is dan een paar herkauwde Motörhead riffs. Boos zijn is niet genoeg, originaliteit speelt ook een heel grote, niet te verwaarlozen, rol. (KC) ZINK (3/7)
Recensent: Kevin Cools
Inside Knowledge – The Netherlands
Coming form the land down under these guys must've been listening to AC/DC, Rose Tattoo and the rest of their rockgods. But their major influence is found in the harder bands like Motörhead, Hookers and our Dutch pride Peter Pan Speedrock. Foaming from the mouth style rawk'n roll only known from the Confederacy of Scum. My ears just can't get enough of this type of bands and if you like it loud, mean, fast and dirty you know what's up! Get y'r rocks on at www.electricandevil.com
Carel Groenen & Marnix van Holland
Vampire Magazine - The Netherlands
What do you know about Australia besides Skippy, koala's, Steve Irwin (the real fucking crocodile hunter!), Ian Thorpe and didgeredo playing aboriginals? Indeed; some popular bands are also coming from the land down under! Of course everybody recognizes AC/DC and Rose Tattoo (whether you like it or not), but few people (myself included 'till now) ever heard of the band The Blacklist. These party animals released their first full length album called Electric and Evil. The title perfectly fits the kind of music they're producing. Fat, ungainly, violent pure speed punk rock 'n roll is what your speakers will spit in your face. Eleven thunderous tracks are being played within half an hour. According to the info that was given along with the promo, The Blacklist can be seen as a mix of bands like The Sex Bombs, Spoilers and Demolition. Bands that I don't know. Bands that I do know and which pop up in my head while listening this album, are Peter Pan Speedrock, Motorhead and Sick of it all. Especially the throat of the singer reminds me of SOIA. Lyrically songs like "We want blood", "Face down in a pool of blood" (with a Metallica's Motorbreath beginning!), "Fuck you up" (Spoilers cover) and "My hammer your skull" seem to be dealing with lifestyles and violence. But all should be seen as sarcastic humour, which the songs "Free Che what's his name (you know the guy on the t-shirts)", and "Release the gay boy beserker attack" hilariously express! The Venom cover "Live like an angel" shows that this band like to live and play dangerous. No music for pussy's, whimps or whatever!
The Blacklist is here to widen the Australian music scene all over the world! So be sure you've checked them out before they're gonna hit our Continent in the near future!
Tim Pijnenburg
Metalfan – The Netherlands
Het Australische The Blacklist is een samenraapsel van bands als The Sex Bombs, Spoilers en Demolition, die mij overigens allemaal tot op heden onbekend zijn. Met Electric and Evil leveren deze Australische boeren hun eerste wapenfeit met The Blacklist af, en dat is een wapenfeit dat er mag zijn! Men neme de rock ’n roll-basis van AC/DC, de groove van Motorhead, de energie van straatpunk en het venijn en de kwaadaardigheid van Venom en zie hier het resultaat: een oprechte, smerige en vooral overtuigende cd.
In ietsje meer dan een half uur vuurt The Blacklist elf korte, krachtige nummers (waaronder de Venom-cover Live Like an Angel) op de luisteraar af, die stuk voor stuk ronken als een Dodge die tien jaar in de garage heeft gestaan en zojuist gestart wordt. De spelvreugde en energie druipen van de nummers af, wat ook overslaat op de luisteraar. Smeuïge gitaarpartijen, de vuile strot van zanger “Good Time Gemmill” en een flinke dosis humor - “Free Che What's His Name (You know the guy on the t-shirts)”- zijn de ingrediënten waarmee de band nummers als Blacklisted Forever, We Want Blood, het onweerstaanbare Fuck You Up (Lemmy zou een grijns van oor tot oor op zijn doorleefde gezicht krijgen bij het horen van dit nummer) en natuurlijk het titelnummer op het publiek weet over te brengen.
Als deze mannen zich de komende jaren niet dusdanig aan drugs, drank en vrouwen te buiten gaan, zou The Blacklist nog wel eens een mooie toekomst te wachten kunnen staan. Immers, de rechttoe-rechtaan rock ’n roll van AC/DC werkt ook al decennia lang uitstekend. Met Electric and Evil levert deze band in ieder geval al een zéér overtuigend en luidruchtig visitekaartje af, dat veel moois voor de toekomst belooft.
Score: 85 / 100
Reviewer: Rik
Kindamuzik – The Netherlands
“Downloading music is killing the recording industry, and so is The Blacklist” staat op de achterkant van dit album gedrukt. De Australiërs zullen ongetwijfeld slechts een stoer statement willen maken, maar raken onbedoeld toch een kern van waarheid. Als de toch al steen en been klagende platenmaatschappijen hun schamele centjes namelijk gaan steken in dergelijke fantasieloze, eendimensionale, vervelende, saaie en talentloze ramrockbandjes met een totaal gebrek aan spanning zijn ze binnen geen tijd failliet, want geen hond zit op deze zoutloze herrie te wachten.
tekst: Eric Looge
Zware Metalen.com _ The Netherlands
In de categorie ramrock komt deze maand speciaal voor u uit Australie het kwintet The Blacklist. Deze ruige kerels houden overduidelijk wel van een potje raggen met vier akkoorden over een eenvoudige doch doeltreffend stoempende ritmesectie. De invloeden van bands als AC/DC, MC5, Motörhead en Zeke liggen er metershoog bovenop en natuurlijk kunnen we qua vergelijkingen niet om ons eigen Peter Pan Speedrock heen, maar wie origineel wil doen begint natuurlijk niet aan een ramrock bandje. Qua tekst gaan de mannen vanzelfsprekend naar de Hel, de verhaaltjes gaan het meest over moord, doodslag en vechtpartijen, wat weer snedige songtitels oplevert als "Fuck You Up", "Face Down In A Pool Of Blood" en "We Want Blood". Simpele stoere testosteronrock dus. Niets meer en niets minder. Indien uw plaatselijke motorvereniging nog een leuke band zoekt voor haar jaarlijke openlucht barbeque, steek ze dan met een gerust hart dit cd-tje toe. Vinden ze vast wel leuk.
Reageer
Aardschok – The Netherlands
In Australië hoef je niet uit te leggen wat lomp is of uit welk hout een echte vent gesneden moet zijn. Dat weten ze zelf al sinds AC/DC en Cosmic Psychos. En juist omdat het in de genen zit wat rock met ballen inhoudt, komt sinds jaar en dag de meest simplistische, maar o zo doeltreffende rock van het onderschatte continent. Voeg de punkhouding van Antiseen en GG. Allen & The Murder Junkies eraan toe en een stel potentiële muzikale serieverkrachters is geboren. The Blacklist gaat door waar onze eigen Spades het voor gezien hield; echte onvoorspelbaarheid en gigantisch uit de klauwen lopende ruzies in een truckerskroeg. Rock kan altijd gemener, harder en lomper. Zoals The Balcklist het bedoeld heeft. Doorauzen mag weer. Peter Pan Speedrock mag het antwoord leveren.
8,8 out of 100
Rene Vanes
Rockminded – The Netherlands
“Electric and Evil” is het debuutalbum van de Australische band “The Blacklist” De band stond al eerder in het voorprogramma van “Jet”, maar hun muziek kun je daar absoluut niet mee vergelijken. De band beschrijft zichzelf als gedeeltelijk beest en gedeeltelijk mens, en vinden zichzelf Australisch luidste en snelste band ooit. En als je “Electric and evil” opzet blijkt al meteen dat ze inderdaad als beesten tekeergaan. Echte Rock and Roll zoals het hoort te zijn. Keihard, rauw en snel. Het snelle nummer “Blacklisted forever” is dan meteen ook de toonzetter van het hele album. “Fuck you up”is origineel geschreven en uitgevoerd door “The Spoilers” maar de band weet ook dit nummer om te zetten in hun rauwe stijl. “Fuck you up” is niet de enige cover op dit album, want als afsluiter heeft de band gekozen voor het nummer “Live like an angel”, wat origineel uitgevoerd is door “Venom”. Je zou de muziek van “The Blacklist” het best kunnen vergelijken met bands als “Motörhead” en “Peter Pan Speedrock”. Dat “The Blacklist” ook wel van humor houdt in hun lyrics merk je wel aan de songtitels als “Free Ché What's His Name (You Know The Guy On The T-Shirts)” en “ Release The Gay Boy Berserker Attack” . Het album duurt maar 30 minuten en dat is naar mijn mening veel te kort, want hiervan zou ik zeker meer willen horen.
Pitfather – The Netherlands
And the award for the filthiest rock ‘n roll record of 2004 goes to…………..
I can imagine that The Blacklist is one of the nominees. Because this is an album that lets hell break loose! Titled “Electric and Evil” these Aussies rage around in a eleven track enduring madness. It all starts with the opening track “Blacklisted Forever” a rolling screaming monster, with a rather catchy sing-a-long chorus. Followed up by the title track “Electric and Evil”. With a songs like “Face down in a pool of blood” and “release the gay boy and berserker attack” The Blacklist show themselves being influenced by the older Metallica. The opening riff of “Face down in a pool of blood” is almost a similar to the opening riff of Whiplash!
What can I say more? With “Electric and Evil” The Blacklist doesn’t write a new chapter in the book of loud and aggressive music. They did write the soundtrack for every bar fight there was and will be ever!
Sebastiaan
Auf Der Axe – The Netherlands
This is the first I ever heard a loud and noisy rock n' roll band from Australia. Besides AC/DC and Rose Tattoo there aren't too many bands that we hear of in Europe. Until today. And oh boy what a band is this. If Zeke would collaborate with Venom (the last song of the album is a Venom-classic!) and ask that Koller-dude from New York hardcoreband Sick Of It All to join them, I guess their music would sound like The Blacklist's music. Hell fucking yeah, these guys make a lot of noise, have powerful uptempo songs and they clearly took some time to make it sound good as well. The Blacklist will come to tour Europe next year and they will also come to the Netherlands!
Tom
Rockezine – The Netherlands
I’ve always been a big fan of self-derision and the Australian band The Blacklist is gifted with a great dose of it. The back of the cover states: “Downloading music is killing the recording industry, so is The Blacklist”. As I said, I like that kind of humor.
So, expecting some corny songs about who-knows-what, Electric And Evil entered my cd-player. And it was as if I was struck by lightning; this album has NOTHING to do with corny lyrics and silly music. This is in-your-face rock and roll in the vein of AC/DC on speed and Peter Pan Speedrock.
It’s a pity that I didn’t receive any lyrics with my promotional copy, because when I take a They are fucking hilarious! I mean, song titles like “We Want Blood”, “Free Ché What’s His Name (You Know The Guy On The T-Shirts)”, “Release The Gay Boy Berserker Attack” and “My Hammer Your Skull”, are great in my opinion, it’s almost like a Cannibal Corpse album! Once again The Blacklist show their great sense of humor.
So, after thirty minutes of up speed rock and roll I’m still smiling and I press the repeat button once again. I really love this album! By the way, the vocals sound kind of familiar; it’s a mix between Gary Meskill (Pro-Pain) and Lou Koller (Sick Of It All). Get this album and rock on!
Lars
Blunt Magazine – Australia
Melbourne’s The Blacklist grinds out the kind of rock that makes me think of sticky carpet, the reek of ciggie smoke and beers spilled down your shirt. The Blacklist bash out the kind of tunes you would hopefully listen to in your petrol guzzling, badly painted phat-arsed car as you made your way home from a shitty job. The Blacklist frankly, play balls-out driving rock ‘n’ roll which makes very little claim to be anything else. The Blacklist revel in their influences… Powder Monkeys, Zeke, Venom, Motorhead… all the cool bands who did or do it in their own way and take no prisoners along the way. They do however, take a few along for the ride, and I’m signing myself up for it now!
JS
Lords of Metal - The Netherlands
A band that states on the sleeve of their new album that: "Downloading music is killing the recording industry and so is the Blacklist" shows A) that it has a sense of humour and/ or B) knows its way around musical history (Venom proclaimed the same thing about taping and themselves twenty years ago). Anyway, it scores points with me.
'Electric And Evil' is the debut album of the Australian band The Blacklist. With the opener 'Blacklisted Forever' the gents don't leave any room for doubt about what their mission is: making raunchy and aggressive noise. The guitars roll from one thrilling riff to the other, the drums are of the brand "Don't think, just GOOOOOOOOOO!" and the smoke and whiskey tainted vocals top things off. The result is a pure kind of speed rock 'n roll with some spikes of seventies punk. If I were a real chauvinist, I would state that this is the Australian answer to Peter Pan Speedrock and The Spades, but it is more likely that bands as AC/DC, Zeke and Motörhead inspired these gents. The eleven catchy tracks are no-brainers, but it seems to me that being innovating or complicated wasn't the preset goal of this band. As if it was Mad Max in overdrive The Blacklist steamrolls through the set list in just 30 minutes and that leaves no room for any luxury. Must hears are the genius 'Free Che What's His Name (You Know The Guy On The T-Shirts)', 'Fuck You Up' and 'Live Like An Angel'.
For everybody who likes an exotic shot of speed rock, dig in!
Frank
I-94 Bar - Sydney, Australia
Not everyone is content with the success of retro-hard rock bands like Jet and The Casanovas. With members drawn from now-departed Melbourne punk/hardcore bands The Spoilers, The Sex Bombs and The Demolitions, the Blacklist's speed metail take on inner-city life makes the current pin-up boys of retro rock'n'roll look like Pat Boone.
"Electric and Evil", the band's debut album, is a brutal half-hour post-apocalyptic assault on the aural senses. The riffs are invigorating and powerful, the drumming frenetic, the atmosphere amphetamised. Ex-Demolition vocalist Goodtime Gemmill gives a serious workout to his already stretched vocal chords. Guitarists Jackal and Skatt the First plunder their guitars as if their lives depended on it, producing a dual strike that would make the Hard Ons blush. The rythym section of the appropriately pseuodynmed Skull Crak (drums) and T-Bone O'Doodle refuses to even contemplate releasing the accelerator, pumping more and more doses of metal rocket energy to fuel the band's attack.
The song titles and lyrics range from self-indulgent and self-referential ("Blacklisted Forever") to violent urban reality ("Face Down in a Pool of Blood"), from straight-out offensive and profane ("Fuck You Up"), to amusing ("Free Che What's His Name (You Know the Guy on the T-shirt)") and possibly ironic ("Release the Gay Boy Beserker Attack").
The Blacklist pull no punches; on the contrary, I felt punch drunk from the punk metal blows repeatedly aimed at my head. Listening to this album took me back to the Old Queens Arm punk metal scene in Adelaide in the mid to late 1980s. Not everyone survived that scene indeed many protagonists burned bright, and burned out of sight completely.
The Blacklist is not for the faint of heart, or sensitive of ear. It's certainly music that easily reaches 11 on Nigel Tufnell's amp, and would make 12 in a canter if it had half a chance. -
Patrick Emery
I-94 Bar - Sydney, Australia
The Blacklist have followed their impressive debut EP with this long-awaited album, released on Melbourne’s Spooky Records which continues to release a diverse range of acts.
With 11 tracks (10 full songs, plus a short interlude) clocking in at just over 30 minutes, you should not expect on long-winded, endless guitar solos. If you know anything of the members’ previous bands (guitarist Iron the Scatt is formerly of The Spoilers and the Jackal wielded a six-string in the Sex Bombs), you won’t be in the dark anyway.
Opening track “Blacklisted Forever” begins with a guitar onslaught and then the band proceeds to slash and burn like few bands are currently able. It’s a loud, hard and fast start. The title track “Electric and Evil” has the band moving into more hard rock territory, but they do not lose the energy or the growling, rough and tough vocal stylings of singer Goodtime Gemmill.
“We Want Blood” has the band, back to its best Motorhead-meets-New Bomb Turks / Zeke mode. For those who thought Motorhead were the last great band, this band proves that the place where tough punk meets metal is not forgotten in the face of the arrival of ‘nu-rock’.
“Free Che What’s His Name (You Know The Guy on the T-shirts)” continues the high energy burn, and then “Face Down in a Pool of Blood” underlines the band’s grasp of dynamics and songwriting ability. Skull Crak (ex –The Spoilers) and T-Bone O’Doodle (ex-The Sex Bombs) prove an almighty, high energy rhythm section.
“Fuck you Up” - originally written, performed and recorded by The Spoilers - is well handled here and is one of two covers. Few bands are as relentless, high energy, tough, loud and fast as The Blacklist and they leave the likes of Jet, The Vines, The Hive and The Strokes for dead. “My Hammer Your Skull’ maintains the rage while “Triple Axe” finds Blacklist playing some toe-tapping punk rock-n-roll. A cover of Venom’s “Live like and Angel” closes the alum with due respect to this killer tune.
The Blacklist’s “Electric and Evil” seems to be far and away the toughest, fastest, meanest and loudest album you will find this year.
Simon Li
Platomania - The Netherlands
Wanneer een band in het voorprogramma van Jet heeft gespeeld, heb je toch bepaalde verwachtingen. De muziek van The Blacklist lijkt echter niet op de muziek van het eveneens Australische Jet. Vanaf de eerste seconde van openingstrack Blacklisted Forever pakt de rauwe sound je bij de strot en na 11 nummers in 31 minuten blijf je sprakeloos achter. The Blacklist laat een stevige combinatie van rock'n roll en punk horen. De muziek doet regelmatig denken aan onder meer B.R.M.C. en The Darkness. Wat The Blacklist echter een eigen smoel geeft is de rauwe zang van Goodtime Gemmill (ex-Demolition). Volgens de Australische pers zijn ze live net zo overweldigend als op dit album, dus nu maar hopen dat ze snel Nederland komen platspelen!
Sanna Marije van Elst
The Buzz - Australia
Blacklisted Forever (single review)
Now here's a band with plenty of originality and attitude and though they lean to a harder edged style of music, it's every inch a winner. Fast hard, raw and darker than the depths of hell, Blacklisted Forever is an "in-your-face" track that conjures up images of a blood spattered, sweat-fueled mosh pit of homicidal mayhem. Get some bourbon into you and go crazy!
Mark Rasmussen
